In Ontario, worker safety is paramount. The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) sets the legal framework to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all. In this article, we will discuss the information, resources and education available to Ontario businesses to keep their employees safe.
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1. What is The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)?
2. What Obligations Do Businesses Have?
3. What Is A Joint Health And Safety Committee?
At ACUTE, our instructors have over 200 years of combined experience providing a wide range of training which focuses on occupational health and safety. Contact us today to learn more about our courses.
1. What is The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA)?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is a provincial law in Ontario, Canada that sets out the legal requirements for workplace health and safety. The OHSA is administered by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
The OHSA requires employers to provide a safe and healthy work environment for their employees. This includes taking all reasonable precautions to protect workers from illness and injury, providing information about workplace hazards, and ensuring that workers are properly trained and supervised.
The OHSA also requires businesses to investigate accidents and incidents that occur in the workplace and to take corrective action to prevent future occurrences. Additionally, businesses must establish a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or a health and safety representative to represent workers and ensure that their concerns are addressed.
The OHSA is a complex piece of legislation, and businesses should consult with legal counsel or a health and safety professional to ensure that they are in compliance with all applicable requirements.
OHSA is in place to create a safe and healthy workplace for all employees.
2. What Obligations Do Businesses Have?
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) in Ontario places significant obligations on businesses to ensure a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. These responsibilities include:
- Providing a safe and well-maintained workplace: This includes ensuring that the workplace is free from hazards, such as slippery surfaces, electrical hazards, and dangerous chemicals.
- Taking all reasonable precautions to protect workers from illness and injury: This includes implementing safety measures, providing proper training, and addressing any potential hazards.
- Providing information about workplace hazards: Businesses must inform workers about any potential hazards in the workplace, including the proper use of safety equipment and emergency procedures.
- Ensuring that equipment, materials, and protective equipment are maintained in good condition: This includes regular inspections and maintenance of all equipment and materials used in the workplace.
Businesses must follow OHSA to keep a safe work environment.
- Providing supervision to ensure that workers work safely and use equipment and protective devices properly: Businesses must ensure that there is adequate supervision in place to ensure that workers are following safety procedures.
- Investigating accidents and incidents: Businesses must investigate any accidents or incidents that occur in the workplace and take corrective action to prevent future occurrences.
- Developing and implementing a health and safety program: This program should outline the business’s policies and procedures for health and safety, including emergency procedures, training requirements, and hazard identification and control.
- Appointing a competent person as a supervisor: This person is responsible for ensuring that the workplace is safe and that workers are following safety procedures.
- Establishing a Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) or a health and safety representative: This committee or representative is responsible for identifying and addressing workplace hazards, and for promoting health and safety in the workplace.
- Posting the OHSA poster in the workplace: This poster provides workers with information about their rights and responsibilities under the OHSA.
In addition to the above responsibilities, businesses should also ensure that their workers are properly trained in health and safety procedures. This training should be specific to the workplace and the types of hazards that workers may be exposed to.
Companies need to ensure that all of their workers receive the proper training.
3. What Is A Joint Health And Safety Committee?
The Joint Health and Safety Committee (JHSC) is a mandatory requirement for most workplaces in Ontario, Canada. It is a committee made up of representatives from both management and workers, and its role is to identify and address workplace hazards and to promote health and safety in the workplace.
The JHSC must meet regularly to discuss health and safety issues, investigate accidents and incidents, and develop and implement health and safety programs. The committee also has the power to recommend corrective action to the employer.
The members of the JHSC should be trained in health and safety matters, and they should be given the time and resources they need to carry out their duties. The JHSC should also have access to the necessary information and resources to identify and address workplace hazards.
Most workplaces in Ontario must have a Joint Health and Safety Committee.
The OHSA requires that the JHSC be established within 90 days of the date that a new workplace is first occupied by workers. The committee must meet at least once a month, and its meetings must be attended by at least one representative from management and one representative from workers.
The JHSC is an important tool for promoting health and safety in the workplace. By identifying and addressing workplace hazards, the JHSC can help to prevent accidents and injuries and create a safer and healthier work environment for all employees.
By understanding and complying with the Occupational Health and Safety Act, Ontario businesses can create a safe and healthy workplace for their employees. With access to valuable resources and training, businesses can effectively protect their workers and foster a positive work environment.
Get Occupational Health and Safety Training With ACUTE
Are you responsible for ensuring a safe and healthy work environment? ACUTE offers comprehensive training and consulting services to help you meet your obligations.
Our expertise includes:
Tailored training programs: Choose from a wide range of courses, including spill response, work at heights, HAZWOPER, and confined space entry.
On-site safety support: Our experts provide guidance and assistance to address your specific needs.
Proven results: With over 200 years of combined experience, we have a proven track record of helping businesses improve safety and productivity.
Ready to take your workplace safety to the next level? Contact us today to learn more and schedule your training.
